Temporary - Waterworks Specialist

Position: Temporary - Waterworks Specialist I
Salary: $24.30 - $29.04 Hourly
Location : Yakima, WA
Job Type: Temporary
Department: Public Works
Division: Water
Opening Date: 06/04/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME

Initial candidate eligibility is based on the job application and any accompanying documentation. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide sufficient information and details within the body of the application (education and work experience sections) to permit the City of Yakima to properly evaluate the candidate's qualification, abilities and experience as it relates to the requirements of the position.

For calculation of experience, one year of experience equals 12 months with a minimum of 173.33 hours per month. Additional required documents must be attached. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of application fields.
Overview and Minimum Class Requirements
This is a temporary position not to exceed 866 hours in a calendar year.
MINIMUM CLASS REQUIREMENTS:

High school diploma or GED and six (6) months experience related to water system installation, repair and maintenance.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES:

Must possess and maintain a valid Washington State Driver's License. Must possess/obtain and maintain a Basic First Aid Certificate including CPR, Traffic Flagging Certificate, and Operator's Certificate from National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators within six (6) months of appointment and a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with an air brake endorsement within nine (9) months of appointment.

Certification as a Washington State Water Distribution Specialist or Water Distribution Manager is preferred.

Job Summary
Under general supervision, does skilled work in the installation, repair and maintenance of water services, water mains, valves and fire hydrants. Performs other related work as assigned.
Essential Functions
Water Services: Makes street cuts using concrete saw, asphalt grinder and/or jackhammer. Assist with installing shoring or other safety measures including traffic signing and flagging. Selects tools and gathers materials required for pre-assembly and assembles materials for service connections. Assist in boring operations, taping water mains, laying service pipe and making meter connections; setting meters and installing meter tiles, lids, frost boards and automated meter read module.

Assist with back filling and compacting excavations using hand tools and powered compactors and hauling of fill material or hauling off spoil. Change meters, records serial numbers and meter readings, complete record of meter changes. Turns services on or off. Assists in making asphalt and concrete repairs in roadways, curbs and sidewalks and operating crane truck.
Fire Hydrants: Make street cuts using concrete saw, asphalt grinder and/or jackhammer. Assist with installing shoring or other safety measures including traffic signing and flagging. Selects tools and gathers materials required for pre-assembly and assembles materials for fire hydrant installations. Assist in taping water mains, laying pipe and installing valves, thrust restraints and fire hydrants. Respond to emergencies by removing broken hydrants and transporting or isolating hydrant.

Disassembles and repairs hydrants in place and in shop. Assist with back filling and compacting excavations using hand tools and powered compactors and hauling of fill material or hauling off spoil. Assists in making asphalt and concrete repairs in roadways, curbs and sidewalks and operating crane trucks.

Water Main Installation and Repair: Makes street cuts using concrete saw, asphalt grinder and/or jackhammer. Assist with installing shoring or other safety measures including traffic signing and flagging. Assist in taping water mains, laying pipe and installing valves, tees, bends, crosses and thrust restraints. Use pumps to remove water from excavations. Clean pipe and install repair bands or sleeves. Replace broken sections of pipe.

Assist with back filling and compacting excavations using hand tools and powered compactors and hauling of fill material or hauling off spoil. Assists in making asphalt and concrete repairs in roadways, curbs and sidewalks, and operating crane truck.
Preventative Maintenance: Participate in valve maintenance program by cleaning valve boxes with hand and power tools, adjusting valve box to grade and exercising valve. Assist with completing valve maintenance record. Participate in inspecting of pressure reducing valves and making adjustments, requires use of atmosphere testing equipment. Participate in water system flushing program by opening and closing valves and fire hydrants. Requires use of dechlorinating equipment, traffic signing and flagging.
May respond to questions from public concerning services and in emergencies; assists in stopping leaks in service lines or water mains.
Safely drives and operates vehicles, trucks and motorized equipment to perform required duties in a variety of locations, within a timely and…